Master Builders celebrates the contribution and achievements of women in construction

Master Builders Australia celebrates International Women’s Day 2015 with an invitation to young Australian women to consider a rewarding career in the building and construction industry.

“There are increasing opportunities opening up for women in one of the nation’s key growth industries, both now and in the future,” Wilhelm Harnisch, CEO of Master Builders Australia said.

“Master Builders National Survey of Building and Construction records that builder’s hiring intentions for tradespeople and apprentices in 2015 is rising strongly on the back of the looming housing boom,” he said.

And, over the next decade, the industry will require an additional 300,000 workers to meet forecast demand for construction work done valued at $2.8 trillion. As the Intergenerational Report has outlined, over the next forty years increased workforce participation among older people and women in non-industries such as construction will be essential,” Wilhelm Harnisch said.

“I would hope to see many more women involved in building the 9 million new homes Master Builders has projected will be required to meet the housing needs of the growing and changing population projected by the Intergenerational Report,” he said.

In the past twelve months Master Builders has recognised the achievements of some just of the outstanding women who are building careers for themselves in the building and construction industry, including:

• Serena Guidice became the first ever female WoodSolutions National Young Builder of the Year in 2014. Serena is a young entrepreneur, leader and role model in the industry. She operates Geraldton Homes having taken the non-traditional step of taking over the business when her father passed away.
• Kate Dawson was named as the first ever Victorian Young Commercial Builder of the Year in 2014. Kate is a contracts manager with major construction contractor Kane Constructions managing contracts ranging from $1million – $75 million.
• Julie Nutting is Group Projects Manager at Azzura International Constructions was awarded Queensland’s Women In Construction Award in 2014.
• Alicia Hodson won Western Australia’s Most Outstanding Female Apprentice of the Year Award in 2014.
• Karla Hayward and Samantha Conley were NSW Female Apprentices of the Year in 2014.
• Elyse Francis is the University of Canberra and Master Builders ACT’s Most Outstanding Commercial Construction Student in 2014. Elyse is forging a career with major contractor Hindmarsh.
• Carissa Carpenter and Rhonda Neil have also been recent Apprentices of the Year in Tasmania and Victoria respectively.

“This International Women’s Day Master Builders pays tribute to these and other inspiring women including CEOs of major construction firms; entrepreneurs at the helm of their family’s building business; young apprentices showing that they can be outstanding tradespeople of the future and; the many women who juggle any number of roles to contributing to the success of the family’s business,” he said.

“Master Builders recognises and encourages their outstanding contribution to our industry,” Wilhelm Harnisch said.